Chemguide – questions

ALKANES: INTRODUCTION

1. a) What is the formula for

(i) butane,

(ii) hexane,

(iii) propane,

(iv) an alkane with 18 carbon atoms?

b) Draw the structure for

(i) cyclopentane

(ii) methylcyclohexane

2. Draw the structural isomers for C6H14.

3. What physical states (solid, liquid or gas) would you expect the following alkanes to exist in at
room temperature? In each case, assume we are talking about the “straight chain” isomer.

a) C8H18

b) C4H10

c) C12H26

d) C19H40

e) C15H32

4. The boiling points of the isomers of C5H12 are

B Pt (K)
pentane 309.2
2-methylbutane 301.0
2,2-dimethylpropane 282.6

a) What are the forces attracting pentane molecules to their neighbours in liquid pentane?

b) Explain why the boiling point becomes lower as the isomer becomes more branched.

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 Chemguide – questions

5. a) Explain why pentane is insoluble in water.

b) Explain why pentane and hexane will dissolve in each other in all proportions.

6. a) Explain why alkanes have a fairly limited range of reactions.

b) Cycloalkanes also mostly have a limited range of reactions for the same reasons that you should
have discussed in part (a). However, cyclopropane in much more reactive than the others. Why?

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